APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
2015-12-04
Council today, 3 December 2015, approved the appointment of a new Deputy City Manager. The appointment was finalised in a special Executive Committee meeting held before the Full Council seating today.
Philemon Mashoko has been appointed to the post of Deputy City Manager: Trading Services. He was previously earmarked to be appointed as the Deputy City Manager Human Settlements, Engineering Services and Transport. This appointment was however rescinded and he will now take up his new position.
The previous candidate's appointment as Deputy City Manager: Trading Services was rescinded due to unsolved allegations levelled against them by their previous employer.
The position for the Deputy City Manager: Human Settlements, Engineering Services and Transport will be advertised with immediate effect.
Chairman of the Human Settlement and Infrastructure Committee Nigel Gumede welcomed the appointment saying the City was willing to investigate the initial appointment when red flags were raised.
"When it is needed, the City listens and if there are queries we investigate to ensure that the appointment can move forward," he said.
Appointment of vacant Deputy City Managers posts is in line with the City's aim to strengthen good governance within the Municipality.
DRAFT RATES POLICY APPROVED FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The public can have their say on the 2016/17 draft Rates Policy as Full Council approved the public participation of the draft policy.
The Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act No. 6 of 2004 states that before a Municipality adopts its Rates Policy, the Municipality must follow a process of community participation. It also states that the draft Rates Policy must be available at the Municipality's head office, satellite offices and libraries for public inspection. Comments and representations are to be made to the Municipality within a specified notice period.
Speaker Logie Naidoo said the draft Rates Policy will allow the public to have the opportunity to interact and have their say.
"This provides a platform for all stakeholders to have a say about the City's rates before it comes back Council where the policy itself will be debated," said Naidoo.
Full Council also acknowledged a report that stipulated that rates reduction for residential properties have been automatically deducted in the 2014/15 financial year for the last time. In future, it will be provided for as an applied rebate.
The intention is to budget for a rebate system and that all residential owners apply for the rebate. The 2014/15 financial year was to be utilised as the registration period with the Residential Rates Project fully implemented next year.
ETHEKWINI TO HOST A NUMBER OF EVENTS TO ASSIST COMMUNITIES
The final Full Council seating for the year ended on a high note as a number of outreach programmes to reach the destitute and empower communities were approved.
This includes the Vulnerable Groups Special Programme to assist vulnerable children. The event is being held on 5 December 2015. Authority was granted for the event to be held annually as it promotes a culture of participation by children in matters directly affecting them.
Another programme to be implemented is the Vulnerable Groups Special Programme for People with Disabilities to raise awareness and find solutions to the discrimination and challenges they face. The event will be held on 7 December 2015. This programme was also approved to be held on an annual basis.
A dialogue for women and children was also given the go ahead, in keeping with the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign currently underway.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality's Communications Head, Tozi Mthethwa.
For more information members of the media can contact Gugu Sisilana on 031 311 4855 or email: gugu.mbonambi@durban.gov.za or Princess Nkabane on 031 311 4818 or princess.nkabane@durban.gov.za